Mid-South newsperson Travis Loller came across “Ethics Bowl,” a competition that offers students a gentler, more thoughtful alternative to traditional debate formats. Intrigued by the concept, she pitched the story to the Trends + Culture team.
Originally considering remote coverage, Loller soon realized that experiencing the event in person would provide deeper insight. She partnered with national writer and videojournalist Allen G. Breed, and the two traveled to the finals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
What they discovered was more than just a competition. The Ethics Bowl emphasizes discussion, mutual respect and collaboration—offering a contrast to the combative tone often seen in American discourse.
Loller and Breed, who also photographed the event, crafted a story that went beyond the contest itself. They explored the cultural undercurrents that make contentiousness the default in public conversation—and highlighted how events like Ethics Bowl suggest a more constructive path forward for the next generation.
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